𝐀 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒

🌹~Chapter 6

-The Savior-

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Oh, mierda... ¡Mierda!

I rummaged through the desk, the nightstand, and even under the bed--nada*. I slid the knob of the drawer--that was resting beside the bed--and alas, I found what I was searching for. The binder and the pages are drenched, it was intact but the ink was barely legible. I groaned, my Abuelo's journal is ruined. 

"My, what a cozy room you have there Cariño."

A sudden voice made me jump, I whirled around and my mouth gaped as the weight of my heart nearly made me stagger back to the ground. "Abuelo..." I gulped the lump from my throat, "What are you doing here?"

It is not like he couldn't search the house if he wanted to. And I'm pretty sure he doesn't need my consent to enter the home. He chuckled, "You were worried about something sweetheart. Do you want to talk about it? You know your Abuelo won't make fun of you right? I promise."

"That does sound nice, but it can wait."

He didn't seem persuaded by my answer, instead, he sat on the chair beside me. "No, no it can't. We both know that nothing would change with you if it was important. So please, do tell me."

I sighed in defeat, "Fine then..." I took the seat next to him and handed him his immersed journal. He opened the book and skimmed the content, his smile faltered a bit as he reached for a particular page. "Lo siento... about your journal. It got soaked on the way here." 

"Oh..."

He replied before placing it on the table and giving a long heaving sigh. My Abuelo's hand rested atop my shoulder, squeezing gently, trying to soothe my distress. I smiled softly at him as he read, he was always such a comforting presence when I needed him most. "Is that all? You're worried that I might get mad at you for soaking my journal?" He laughingly asked.

"Well yeah..." I mumbled under my breath.

"Cariño." He spoke softly, his expression is still tenderhearted as he turned to look at me straight into my eyes. "Don't worry; you could never fret your Abuelo. And you don't have to hide anything from me either. Just remember that no matter how bad things may feel, it will get better."

I nodded silently before leaning against his side. "Will everything turn out to be okay once you're not here by my side anymore?..."  I whispered. His gaze softens. "Of course it will, I'll make sure of it. No matter where I am, I can guarantee you that everything will turn out to be just fine. I'll protect you with all my heart."

I can imagine the thought of being alone again. The only one who will ever understand and love me enough will be gone. I felt like I was falling apart and there was nothing I could do to stop it, "Abuelo, thank you. You'll always be my savior..."

He chuckled, "Oh, I'm not your only savior Cariño. There are others out there who shielded you from harm," I looked up, inquisitive over what he meant, and saw that familiar gentle smile gracing his lips again. "Look around you sweetheart. I'm sitting right here. Don't you see them? I'm going to take care of you for as long as there is, no matter what happens between now and then."

The door suddenly opened slightly only to reveal a man in his mid-thirties. "Oh sorry, Did I disturb you?" He asked sheepishly, my gaze landed on the man and back to my Abuelo--but with a flick of a light switch, he disappeared in zephyr. I stood up abruptly, flabbergasted by his sudden appearance. "Who... Who are you?" I asked timidly, I was shaking a little, my nerves getting the best of me while the man was still standing behind the door.

The man opened the door broadly and he smiled as he walked forward steadily whilst Rosemary came following in, he knelt in front of me, smiling obligingly at me, "Hello again. How are you today?" He asked. I stared at the stranger, unable to respond, and my gaze dropped to the floorboards. 

"Y/N." 

Rosemary's voice chirped as I snapped my head up, her sweet tender smile never leaving her face; "This is Izan, he and his friend were gone out to the woods for a scavenging hunt until--" She let the man named Izan continue to finish the story.

"We saw something floating on the waters and we thought it was some sort of floating debris or a plank of wood to bring home but--it was rather a helpless drowning girl, which is you. No offense." He said. 

"After we pulled you out of the waters, my friend and I had to travel back here to get you medical attention. Luckily, we had the best doctors in town and revived you--they were glad to see you're still alive." Señor Izan chuckled. 

My gaze shifted away as I clenched tightly the sleeve of my shirt. Rosemary and Izan continued to explain what happened after they brought me back from the water. I tried hard to listen to their words as I was too overwhelmed and confused by all this new information. Was it really necessary to explain to a twelve-year-old about her trauma?, Rosemary placed her warm hand on my shoulder, "No te preocupes Cariño. It must be frightening not knowing where you are and everything new around you is very confusing too, but as long as you're safe under our care then everything will turn out to be just fine." 

"No matter where I am, I can guarantee you that everything will turn out to be just fine. I'll protect you with all my heart."

The words of my Abuelo began to reappear in my head like a whirling tornado, I smiled debilitated. "Thank you, madam Rosemary and Señor Izan." Suddenly, two kids rushed into the room and launched themselves at me, making me fall back to the floorboards with a thud. 

"Yay, Hermana Y/N is staying! Hermana Y/N is staying!" Martin exclaimed with eyes filled with beaming stars, I groaned as I sat up "Hermana?"

"¡Sí!, since you lived here with us now--you're part of our family!" I felt stupefied by Martin's words but I also feel a hint of luminescence shining inside me, it was like yesterday I was just wandering the streets of Encanto watching the families sharing joys and laughter, and now--this family took me in like I was part of theirs. Slight tears swelled up my eyes as I embraced the two kids tight. 

"Now now Martin, she lives here since she doesn't have a home to stay in. You can't announce Y/N to be part of us." Rosemary laughed. I looked up at her with a grin, "Madam Rose..." 

"I feel like I was home again." 

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12/05/22

*Nada- No

Preview picture of Rosemary.